.jpeg)
By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Portable and Osupa |
Fuji music star Saheed Akorede, widely known as Osupa, stepped in on Tuesday to prevent the re-arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, following a new petition filed against him.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Osupa withdrew his initial case against Portable after influential figures, including former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, pushed for an out-of-court resolution.
Yemi George, Managing Director of Starwood Hotels Ilorin, told NAN that Osupa convinced him not to proceed with Portable’s re-arrest—despite the singer allegedly collecting N6.3 million for a performance he never delivered.
"I had all the necessary documents to re-arrest him today to recover my money, but out of respect for the legendary Fuji musician (Osupa), he persuaded me to hold back,"* George revealed.
"My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, in partnership with TAMPAN (Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria), organized an event for Portable, but he failed to perform."
A SaharaReporters story on Monday exposed that Portable allegedly no-showed at the *Kwara TAMPAN Fiesta 1.0*, held on September 29, 2024, at Starwood O2 Arena in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Despite being paid for the performance—which marked the event’s debut—Portable reportedly breached the agreement.
A media aide to the hotel’s MD, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Portable took an upfront payment of ₦6.3 million but never honored the contract.
A petition obtained by NAN, titled *"Petition for Fraudulent and Obtaining by False Pretence the Sum of N6.3m,"* alleges that Portable signed an agreement on July 22, 2024, but disregarded it.
The document claims he received N6.3 million for the September 29 event but arrived over 16 hours late and left without performing. The petitioners—including Chief Olu Amusan (TAMPAN Governor) and Ayodele Demokun (Starwood Hotels)—demand a full refund, investigation, and legal action.
Kwara State Police Spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed Portable’s initial arrest on Sunday, following Osupa’s petition citing criminal defamation, threats, incitement, and public disturbance.
This latest drama adds to Portable’s growing list of controversies, leaving fans and industry stakeholders questioning his professionalism.
(NAN)